Gasperini on Roma ‘regrets’, ‘let’s see what happens with Dybala’

Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted that he and his players have some ‘regrets’ after their 1-0 defeat at home against Lille in the Europa League on Thursday evening, but insists there is no time to dwell on the past with a test against Fiorentina awaiting them in Serie A on Sunday.

Roma are playing Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday evening, kicking off at 14.00 BST.

You can follow the action as it unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog.

What Gasperini said before Fiorentina-Roma

Roma are off to a flyer in Serie A, sitting level on points with Milan and Napoli at the top of the table after five matches. A win against Fiorentina on Sunday will ensure they remain at the top of the standings regardless of results elsewhere.

The Giallorossi, however, suffered their first competitive defeat of the season on Thursday with a 1-0 loss against Lille in the Europa League.

“When you play so regularly, there’s no time to focus on the games we’ve already played,” Gasperini said of Thursday’s defeat ahead of kick-off against Fiorentina.

“You immediately have to think about the next one.

“We have regrets over some of the missed chances in Europe the other night, we could have at least equalised. But we’ve immediately gone into Fiorentina mode, it’s an important game for both sides and we’re ready.”

Paulo Dybala is back in the Roma squad after a brief spell on the sidelines through injury. Tommaso Baldanzi starts over him against Fiorentina, though.

“It’s both because of rotations, and because he’s doing well and I’ve seen him do great things in training,” Gasperini said of Baldanzi’s opportunity in Fiorentina-Roma.

“It could be the right game for him. I have alternative options on the bench.

“Dybala started training again on Friday after a bit of time out. We’ve brought him with us. Let’s see what happens during the game.”